Brian Ferentz, a three-year letterman as an offensive lineman at the University of Iowa, is in his fourth year as Iowa's offensive line coach. He also serves as Iowa's run-game coordinator. Brian joined the Hawkeye staff after spending the previous four years with the NFL's New England Patriots. He was recently recognized by ESPN.com as one of the top assistant coaches in the Big Ten Conference under the age of 40.

Iowa averaged just over 400 yards total offense per game in 2014. The Hawkeyes averaged 28.2 points per game, its highest scoring average since 2010, while winning seven games and earning a spot in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Iowa surpassed 400 yards total offense per game for the first time since 2005.

Senior left tackle Brandon Scherff won the 2014 Outland Trophy, was the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten and earned unanimous consensus All-America honors. Scherff was the fifth player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft (Washington Redskins), while senior right tackle Andrew Donnal was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round. Iowa led the Big Ten and ranked second nationally in fewest penalties and yards penalties per game.

Iowa's offensive line in 2013 led the way for an offense that averaged 377 yards total offense per game, including 180 rushing yards and 197 passing yards. The Hawkeye offensive line allowed just 15 sacks in 13 games, a total that led the Big Ten and tied for 12th best in the nation. Iowa won eight games while participating in the 2014 Outback Bowl.

Iowa's offensive line featured the same five starters in all 13 games in 2013, with four of those Hawkeyes earning Big Ten honors. Scherff was a first team selection, while right tackle Brett Van Sloten was second team and center Austin Blythe and left guard Conor Boffeli each were named honorable mention. Iowa led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the nation in fewest penalties per game. Boffeli and Van Sloten signed NFL free agent contracts immediately following the 2014 NFL Draft.

Senior center James Ferentz and senior tackle/guard Matt Tobin led Iowa's offensive line in 2012, as both players earned all-Big Ten recognition. In addition, Blythe earned FWAA Freshman All-America honors. Iowa's offensive line put together a string of four consecutive games without allowing a quarterback sack and allowed less than two sacks in six of 12 games overall.

Brian, the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, served as New England's tight ends coach in 2011, helping the Patriots win the AFC championship and a spot in the 2012 Super Bowl. Brian was an offensive assistant coach in 2010, working exclusively with the tight ends. He spent 2009 as a coaching assistant after serving as a scouting assistant for the Patriots during the 2008 season.

Under his direction, two Patriot rookie tight ends made a big impact in 2010. The New England duo ranked first and second, among all rookie tight ends with 10 and six touchdown catches, respectively. They became the first pair of rookie tight ends with at least five touchdowns in the same season in NFL history. Rob Gronkowski's 10 touchdown receptions rank second in NFL history for a rookie tight end, as only Mike Ditka (12) had more touchdowns as a rookie.

Gronkowski set additional records in 2011, including individual records for receiving touchdowns by a tight end (17), total touchdowns by a tight end (18) and receiving yards by a tight end (1,327). As a tandem, the Patriot tight ends also set three NFL single season records: total touchdowns by a tight end tandem (24), receptions by a tight end tandem (169) and total yards by a tight end tandem (2,237).

Brian played both offensive guard and center during his Iowa career. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 2005, and was academic All-Big Ten in 2003. He was a team captain as a senior and played on Iowa teams that were among the most successful in school history. Brian was part of two Big Ten championship teams (2002 and 2004).

Ferentz started at center in every game as a senior in 2005. He started eight games at right guard in 2004 as the Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title and a bid to the Capital One Bowl. Iowa won each of the eight games he started after he missed the first four games of the year due to injury. Ferentz earned the starting center position as a sophomore and started five games before missing the second half of the season due to injury.

During his tenure as a player, Iowa participated in the BCS FedEx Orange Bowl, two Outback Bowls, and a Capital One Bowl, compiling an overall record of 38-12. The Hawkeyes defeated Florida in the 2004 Outback Bowl and defending national champion LSU in the 2005 Capital One Bowl.

Ferentz was a member of Iowa's Leadership Council and as a senior was the recipient of the Hayden Fry "Extra Heartbeat Award". The annual award goes to the Hawkeye player who gives extraordinary effort on the field. He was recognized with the "Next Man In" award as a junior.

Brian was selected to participate in the 2006 Hula Bowl following his Hawkeye career. He signed a free agent contract with Atlanta and was a member of the Falcons practice squad in 2006. He was with the New Orleans Saints throughout their 2007 training camp.

He earned his bachelor's degree in history from Iowa in 2006.

Ferentz was born March 28, 1983, in Iowa City. He and his wife, Nikki, have a daughter, Presley.

FERENTZ ON IOWA
"Being a native Iowan, born across the street from Kinnick Stadium and growing up in its shadow, Iowa Football is very special to me. I had the privilege of playing for the Hawkeyes and am now thrilled to join the coaching staff at The University of Iowa.

I am proud to be from the state of Iowa and even prouder to return to a program that encompasses the values of the people of this state: earnest, hard-working, humble, and selfless. It is an honor to represent our community on a national stage.

As a player, I had the unique experience of getting to know my father as a coach, and I feel very fortunate to join his staff. Men like Chris Doyle and Reese Morgan had a profound impact on me as a young man. Coaches like those on staff at Iowa were the reason I was so eager to join this business. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to work with the staff at the University of Iowa.

We recruit special players to become Hawkeyes. I look forward to helping them reach their potential both on the field in front of 70,000 fans, and off the field to much less, although not less important, fanfare."

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